Cowboys radio voice Brad Sham answered reader questions during a live chat Tuesday. Here are some highlights:

An old chestnut from Landry was that "you'll know what kind of player you have after 3 years." Do you think that will be equally applicable after this year due to the lack of off season and limited training camp last year? If it is, what improvement would you expect to see from Dez Bryant?

Brad Sham: Michael, it's less applicable today because the salary cap has forced teams to play younger players sooner. Sometimes you don't get a 3 year learning curve any more, but the essence of what Tom believed is still true, in my opinion. I would HOPE to see significant improvement in Dez, who I think suffered from lockout more than any other Cowboy. I have NO idea what to expect.

Do you think the new strength and conditioning coach will have a great impact on injuries during the season? For example, help Miles Austin stay healthy.

Brad Sham: Steve, I think the single most untold and untellable story from last year is what might have been different if Mike Woicik had had a chance to do his work in the offseason. I can't prove it, but I believe Miles would not have had the muscle issues he did if he'd had the program to work in. The NBA is finding out the same thing. The lockout and shortened offseason and training camp were killers.

Will Mark Barron be a cowboy?

Brad Sham: Maybe. Depends who else is there. But they do like him a lot. And they should.

What do you think the Cowboys most pressing need is in the draft and who do you think will be their # 1 pick.

Brad Sham: I don't mean to sound like a mart aleck, but their most pressing need is for the best football players they can get. They need linebackers and pass rushers and DBs and o linemen and a tight end. Who they pick depends entirely on who the first 13 to go are.

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